Cathching Up

We have been walking through excerpts from the book of Nehemiah and making observations regarding lessons in leadership from his example. Last week we focused on how Nehemiah took his plan and made it public as he went before the king to seek permission to return to Israel and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

We pick up the story today as Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem and began his evaluation of the task ahead.  Nehemiah spent time walking through Jerusalem and taking inventory of the damage to the walls and what needed to be done.  He concluded that he had a monumental task before him, and in chapter 2 verse 17 Nehemiah tells the people “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate, and its gates have been burned by fire.”  The task ahead of Nehemiah was not going to be easy, and it would take long days and backbreaking labor.  But this reality did not deter Nehemiah from his task, for in the end of verse 17 we read his encouragement to the people: “Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a disgrace.” 

A Call To Action

Recognizing that change does not happen without effort, Nehemiah called the people to action and to take up his vision and follow his leadership for the task ahead.  After all the prayer, fasting, planning, and stepping out to follow what God had for Nehemiah, they were about ready to build!  We read the people’s response in verse 18: “Let us arise and build.  So, they put their hands to the good work.”  Do you see that?  They put their hands to the good work.  Imagine the excitement!  The wave of emotions that would have been coming over the people as they returned from exile to their ruined city and began the rebuilding process.  Finally, Nehemiah’s vision paid off!  Finally, after all of the preparation, the people began doing the work that Nehemiah had envisioned so long ago!  

Practical Application

We can learn many lessons from this excerpt of Old Testament narrative!  What comes first to my own mind is the importance of action and initiative.  Nehemiah’s endeavor would have been pointless if he had spent all the time in prayer, preparation, and planning only to never start the work.  Too many churches never start the work God has for them, and too many believers never start the word God has for them.  Yes, there is vision, there is planning, there are good desires, there may even be prayer involved. But without taking that final step to “put your hands to the good work,” little ministry is actually performed for the cause of Christ!

Final Thoughts

Perhaps you have heard the proverbial question of “how do you eat an elephant?”  The answer of course is “one bite at a time.”  This holds true for leadership and ministry.  For Nehemiah, he had a large task ahead of him and he needed to stay focused and take “one bite” at a time of his great project.  The same holds true for us.  God has so many things for churches and individuals to accomplish!  We fulfill our mission and God’s desire when we take them, one at a time, and put our hands to do the work that God wants us to do!